Now Casting: Shelby Hayes

From homeschooling to ruling the runway

By
CR Staff

Nov 26, 2018

Evelien Joos

Homeschooled until the age of 14 by her mom, Shelby Hayes never imagined becoming a model. Scouted in a grocery store and immediately scooped up exclusively for the Proenza Schouler Spring/Summer 2016 Show, Shelby is a star on the rise. Represented by The Lions, among others, she's walked for dozens of major designers and somehow maintains a down-to-earth vibe. (She's the first to admit that her Instagram game is lacking, saying she hasn't posted in months.) A self-proclaimed bookworm and lover of a very specific type of music, CR sat down with Shelby to talk shop.

Where are you from?"I'm from California, Orange County. By the beach."

What do you like to do in your spare time?"I'm a big nerd. I like to read! It's been my favorite thing to do since I was a kid. Right now, I just bought Lolita. I haven't read it yet. I like Michael Crichton a lot, too."

Evelien Joos

What is your favorite casting outfit?"Similar to what I'm wearing now: a black t-shirt and jeans. I also like a black, leather skirt. You can dress it up or dress it down."

What inspired you to start modeling?"It's been something that I've grown to love, instead of having a passion for it originally but now, I can't picture myself doing anything else. I feel like I'm finally getting my stride, three years later. Two weeks after I was scouted, I was an exclusive model for Proenza Schouler and then Marc Jacobs. As a 15-year-old, that was crazy."

If you could have another career, what would it be?"Something with children. I'd love to work with kids. I'd like to model as long as possible, and then get a job as a pre-school teacher or something."

How long have you been in New York?"I still live in California, but am going to move here soon! I'm actually scouting neighborhoods this trip and some roommates. I like the East Village so far."

Instagram

What is the craziest shoot you’ve ever been on?"I did a shoot recently in huge dresses and high, high heels. They had us jumping up and down on trampolines. It was amazing, terrifying, and awesome at the same time."

What is your dream modeling job?"Because I haven't done this yet, I'd really like to do a makeup campaign. A close-up beauty moment would be a lot of fun."

Favorite music? "I like 80's New Wave. I've said that my entire life, because that's what I grew up on. I also like Kendrick Lamar and newer things."

How do you feel about the current climate of diversity in modeling?"I think it's much better. When I first started, there were not many black girls at all. I was always one of two. And now I'm one of six. It's getting better, but it is going at fashion's slow, steady pace. I have seen a lot of change, even at castings. I actually have competition now because there are a ton of girls inspired to model because they feel represented on the runway and think, 'Oh, I can do this now too.'"

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